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Toronto – June 28, 2014 – On June 28, Canada’s leading and most progressive union hosted an impressive arts and music extravaganza at the Sheraton Centre in downtown Toronto that served as a feature occasion for this year’s historic World Pride festival.

Celebrate Our UFCW Pride attracted union members, LGBTQ activists, artists, musicians, and families from across Canada and around the world, who came to celebrate Pride by participating in a number of musical, artistic, and cultural activities with UFCW brothers and sisters on a beautiful June afternoon.

Honoured guest Joseph T. Hansen, President of the UFCW International Union, and renowned human rights activists Mariela Castro joined with UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema in kicking off our union's showcase event for the global Pride festival in Toronto. Members of the UFCW Outreach group – which works to strengthen support for LGBTQ communities throughout North America by initiating bonds of support, solidarity, and joint advocacy work – were also in attendance to stand up for LGBTQ rights by showing their Pride at the high-energy event.

Celebrate Our UFCW Pride was the result of a collaborative partnership between UFCW Canada and the Mayworks Festival of Working People and the Arts. The festivities featured live music and unique art installations that highlighted our collective achievements in fighting for LGBTQ rights and equality, while advocating for further progress in this area.

"I would like to congratulate all of our members, activists, and leaders who dedicated so much of their time and energy to making Celebrate Our UFCW Pride a major highlight of World Pride," President Meinema said at the event. "Each and every day, our union strives to make workplaces safe and secure for LGBTQ members, and it's an honour to unite with artists and community activists to celebrate our successes in advancing LGBTQ rights and equality," Brother Meinema added.